Top 10 Things To Do This Malaysia Day

WHAT: Get into the spirit of the new Malaysia by watching the movie Rise: Ini Kalilah, set to be released on Malaysia Day, September 16. Inspired by the true events that took place leading up to Malaysia’s 14th General Elections in May 2018, this film was made over the span of three months and features Malaysians from all walks of life who came together to vote for change. This one is not to be missed!

WHEN: Sunday, September 16, 2018 onwards

WHERE: At a cinema near you

WHAT: KLIAF is an annual celebration of arts and culture featuring an incredible body of work from local and international talents, artists, performers and professional from different genres such as theater, digital art, music to literature, fine art and crafts. Expect a series of dance performances, plays, musical showcases, exhibitions, movie screening and literary talks taking place for the whole month in various locations, such as children’s play 'Cloud Soup by Wolfe Bowart', musical performance ‘I Am Ravana’, traditional dance ‘Mayong: Anak Raja Tangkai Hati’ and Akram Khan’s ‘Giselle’ the Movie screening. Click here for full schedule and tickets.

WHEN: September 1 – 30, 2018

WHERE: Various locations, www.diversecity.my

WHAT: Organized by Star Media Group and EcoWorld, the #AnakAnakMalaysia Walk celebrates Malaysia’s diversity and promotes unity and understanding in conjunction with National Day and Malaysia Day. Open to adults, children from 7-17 years and families, walk for a distance of 3.8km within the grounds of Eco Ardence. Participants also stand to win exciting prizes in the raffle draw. Registration fees are priced at RM40 for adults, RM20 for children and RM100 for a family package (two adults and two children). To register, visit here. 

WHEN: Sunday, September 2, 2018 at 6:30am

WHERE: Eco Ardence Sales Gallery, Persiaran Setia Alam, Setia Alam, 40170 Shah Alam, Selangor, Malaysia, +603 7967 1388 ext 1432/1529 (Mondays-Fridays, 9am-5pm)

WHAT: Bathroom singers and just anyone with a desire to exercise your vocal chords, you'll want to catch this performance by six local a capella groups who will be singing their hearts out this Malaysia Day. You'll be presented with nostalgic Malaysian tunes that will get you singing along in no time. Tickets are priced at RM50 and available here.  

WHEN: Saturday, September 15, 2018 from 8:30pm to 10:30pm

WHERE: PJ Live Arts, 2A-3, Block K, Jaya One, Section 13, No.72A, Jalan Universiti, 46200, Petaling Jaya, Selangor, Malaysia, www.facebook.com/thevochaleproject

WHAT: Learn how to design your own batik pattern at this workshop taught by the creative folks from Meii Sewing & Craft Academy. From mixing colors to designing a masterpiece you’d be proud to show off, learn the basics for a one-of-a-kind work of art you can proudly call your own.

WHEN: Saturday, September 15, 2018 from 10am to 12pm

WHERE: Ikigai Studio, No.52A, Tingkat 1, Jalan SL1/3, Bandar Sungai Long, 43000 Kajang, Selangor, Malaysia, www.facebook.com/ikigai.cafe.studio

WHAT: Curated by Wei-Ling Gallery and presented by UOB Malaysia at the National Visual Arts Gallery, the exhibition features works of art by 14 selected prominent Malaysian artists who explore the symbolic power of the ‘Jalur Gemilang’ as a potent symbol and a marker of identity, unity, belief, and division. The exhibition title, Teh Tarik with the Flag refers to the popular local drink that has become synonymous with all Malaysians and reflects the unique appeal it has in bringing Malaysians from all walks of life together. Participating artists are Anurendra Jegadeva, Cheng Yen Pheng, Chong Kim Chiew, Choy Chun Wei, Fauzan Omar, Hamidi Hadi, Hasnul Jamal Saidon, Hayati Mokhtar, HH Lim, Ivan Lam, Rajinder Singh, Sean Lean, Sulaiman Esa and Yau Bee Ling.

WHEN: July 23 – September 17, 2018 from 10am to 6pm

WHERE: The National Visual Arts Gallery of Malaysia is located at 2, Jalan Temerloh, Titiwangsa, 53200 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, www.artgallery.gov.my

WHAT: In celebration of Malaysia’s 61 years of independence, the Malaysian Philharmonic Orchestra pays a tribute to musical icons of Malaysia such as Alfonso Soliano, Ahmad Merican and Tan Sri P.Ramlee. The orchestra led by conductor Ahmad Muriz Che Rose and vocalists Aishah, Liza Hanim, Rachel Guerzo Trio and Musly Ramlee will bring you down memory lane with their rendition of Malaysian classics such as Semalam Di Malaya, Airmata Berderai, Tanah Pusaka and Hujan Di Tengahari. Tickets are priced from RM141 to RM358 and available here.  

WHEN: September 15 -16, 2018 at 8:30pm (Saturday) and 3pm (Sunday)

WHERE: Dewan Filharmonik Petronas, Level Two, Tower Two, PETRONAS Twin Tower, Kuala Lumpur City Centre, 50088 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, +603 2331 7007, http://dfp.com.my/

WHAT: Watch the live staging of ‘Tanah Akhirku’, a theatrical production to commemorate Malaysia’s National Day. Told through the perspective of a young woman who flees mainland China and arrives in British-occupied Malaya in the 1900s to work as a tin miner with her mother and younger siblings, she soon finds herself falling for a local nobleman and develops a newfound appreciation for her new home. The show offers an insight into the formation of Malaysia and the role that migrants in the country’s economy and culture. ‘Tanah Akhirku’ will be staged in Bahasa Malaysia, Chinese and English with subtitles. Tickets are priced from RM40 to RM350, and available here.

WHEN: August 28 – September 1, 2018 at 8:30pm

WHERE: Panggung Sari, Istana Budaya, Jalan Tun Razak, Titiwangsa, 50694 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, www.istanabudaya.gov.my

WHAT: Fantastic Malaysian food can be found all over the country from street food to fine dining, so why not take it a notch higher and learn how to make it yourself? Sign up for cooking classes at Lazat Cooking and the team will teach you in an easy, entertaining way all you need to know about traditional Malaysian menus from selecting the right ingredients at the market to the cooking and simmering in the kitchen. Get a hands-on experience in making Malaysian delicacies such as nasi lemak, otak-otak, roti canai and more.

WHEN: Every Monday to Saturday from 8am to 2:30pm

WHERE: Lazat Malaysian Cooking Class, Lot 3197, Jalan Penchala Indah, Kampong Bukit Lanjan, 60000 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, +6019 238 1198, lazatcooking@gmail.com, www.lazatcooking.com

WHAT: An initiative by the Tourism and Culture Ministry to promote tourism, culture and art, Citrawarna or Colors of Malaysia is an annual event filled with traditional Malaysian music, dance, performances and parades which will take place at Dataran Merdeka in the heart of the city.

WHEN: Sunday, September 16, 2018

WHERE: Dataran Merdeka, Jalan Raja, Kuala Lumpur City Centre, 50050 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, www.facebook.com/windowmalaysia